Democratic Party Primary Schedule 'Into the Storm'... Party Affairs Committee Meeting Decision as First Turning Point

Jung Sye-kyun: "It is normal to discuss according to the party constitution and rules"
Lee Kwang-jae: "It would be good if Lee Jae-myung makes a bold decision"
Possible if the party affairs committee approves... Convening is the authority of Representative Song Young-gil

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Jeon Jin-young] Regarding the postponement of the Democratic Party's presidential primary, whether to convene the Party Affairs Committee, which has the authority to decide on this matter, is expected to be the first critical turning point in the ongoing controversy. The party leadership planned to hold a caucus meeting on the 22nd to discuss this issue, but it is merely a process of gathering opinions, and the final decision must ultimately be made by the leadership. Regardless of the decision, clashes between the 'front-runner' and other candidates are expected to intensify. Outwardly, the issue concerns whether a 'significant reason' has occurred according to the party constitution, but beneath the surface, the interests of each candidate are at play, creating sharp conflicts.

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun appeared on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start Morning' on the 21st and emphasized, "Since this is a request based on the party constitution and regulations, discussing it is normal. That is the democratization of the party." When the host said, "It seems that Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party leader, stuck to the principle," he replied, "The principle is to comply with the party constitution and regulations."

The party constitution stipulates that the presidential candidate must be selected at least 180 days before the election, but it also states that in cases of 'significant reasons,' the Party Affairs Committee can decide otherwise. This point was presented as the 'principle.'

Regarding 'significant reasons,' he mentioned, "There is the COVID-19 situation, and elections involve opponents, don't they?" The main rationale for the postponement argument is that the timing should be adjusted to when herd immunity against COVID-19 is expected to form, to increase public interest, and to align with the People Power Party's candidate selection scheduled for early November.

Additionally, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae said on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' that "President Moon Jae-in (during his presidential primary) also conceded on the primary method and other matters, and his approval ratings rose each time," adding, "The public is more concerned about vaccine issues, when COVID will end, disaster relief funds, and real estate issues. It would be logical to resolve livelihood issues first and then hold the primary around the time the People Power Party does. It would also be good if Governor Lee Jae-myung makes a big decision."

Lee said, "I think it won't happen immediately on the 22nd, and primaries are always fierce," adding, "I hope a grand compromise will be reached without going to a vote at the Party Affairs Committee." He emphasized, "In such cases, the person who ranks first in opinion polls making a sudden concession to save the party and raise approval ratings is, in my view, the wisest path."

Regarding the 'significant reasons' condition for postponing the primary in the party constitution, he said, "After losing the Seoul and Busan mayoral elections, the Democratic Party is effectively in an emergency state, and over 50% believe the regime should be changed. We need to consider extraordinary measures, decide how to gather the people's hearts, and show a model of overcoming COVID well, making changes befitting the ruling party."

He also anticipated dialogue among candidates. Lee said, "After the caucus meeting, I think candidates will appoint representatives to have sufficient behind-the-scenes talks, followed by direct talks among candidates. This process seems inevitable." It is expected that attempts will be made to reach an agreement among the parties involved.

In this regard, the Democratic Party leadership held a closed supreme council meeting the previous day but failed to reach a conclusion and decided to listen to pros and cons at the caucus meeting on the 22nd. The key lies with Leader Song Young-gil. The Party Affairs Committee is the highest decision-making body concerning party administration, and according to the party constitution, "The chairperson convenes the committee when the chairperson or the supreme council deems it necessary or when one-third of the members request it."

Leader Song is understood to have a strong will to adhere to the '180 days before' schedule. Governor Choi Moon-soon of Gangwon Province, who declared his presidential candidacy, said at a meeting with reporters the previous day, "I met with Leader Song at the party office yesterday (the 19th)," adding, "It seemed that Leader Song had decided to proceed with the schedule as planned."

Changing the rules requires the agreement of the 'players,' but Governor Lee Jae-myung's camp is firmly opposed. Kim Byung-wook, a prominent Lee Jae-myung faction lawmaker, said on Facebook the previous day, "It is essential first to clearly confirm what constitutes a 'significant reason,'" adding, "Common sense dictates that it can only be established in cases so severe that the election is impossible." Governor Lee recently sparked controversy by saying about the primary postponement claims, "I can no longer sell medicine in that way."

For the ruling party's leading candidate, it is advantageous to proceed with the primary quickly, while other candidates benefit from having more time to raise their approval ratings. Lawmaker Kim expressed concern that "if heated debates occur over issues clearly advantageous or disadvantageous to specific candidates, the party's internal unity may be shaken, making it difficult to form a one-team for regime reestablishment during the presidential election."

However, numerically, members outside the Lee Jae-myung faction still constitute the majority in the Democratic Party. Ultimately, a fierce debate with life-or-death stakes is expected at the caucus meeting on the 22nd, and based on this, whether Leader Song will decide to convene the Party Affairs Committee is the first critical turning point. The Party Affairs Committee is chaired by the party leader and composed of the floor leader, supreme council members, secretary-general, chairperson of the policy committee, chairs of standing parliamentary committees, and heads of city and provincial party committees, totaling fewer than 100 members. Since governors affiliated with the party also participate, Governor Lee Jae-myung will also be involved.